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What Is Margin Used per Trade Idea?

Margin used per trade idea refers to the total margin required to open and maintain all positions that belong to the same trade idea.

A trade idea includes:

  • A single instrument (e.g. only Gold), or
  • A group of correlated instruments (e.g. EUR/USD + GBP/USD)

All related positions are aggregated and treated as one trade idea, even if they are:

  • Opened at different times
  • Split into multiple entries
  • Using different lot sizes

Splitting trades does not reduce margin usage.

 

What Is the Margin Limit?

At The Trading Pit, margin usage per trade idea is limited to:

Maximum: 40% of your initial account balance

This rule exists to prevent excessive exposure and protect traders from catastrophic losses.

You can find the affected trades in your trading dashboard under the Trade List tab.

 

What Actions Do We Take?

Margin usage is monitored in real time:

  • Reminder
    Sent when margin usage reaches 30% per trade idea
  • First violation
    First warning + forced position closure
  • Second violation
    Account breach

Example – Single Instrument (Gold)

A trader opens:

  • Buy 0.5 lots XAUUSD
  • Buy 0.3 lots XAUUSD
  • Buy 0.2 lots XAUUSD

All positions are combined and treated as one trade idea.
The total margin of all Gold positions must remain below 40% of the initial account balance.

Example – Correlated Instruments

A trader believes the USD will weaken and opens:

  • Buy EUR/USD
  • Buy GBP/USD
  • Sell USD/CHF

These trades are correlated and treated as one trade idea.
Combined margin across all positions must stay below 40%.

 

Margin Used Formula (Using Leverage)

Margin Used Per Trade Idea Formula = (Lots × Contract Size × Price) / Leverage

Example – Margin Used per Trade Idea (Correlated FX Instruments)

Scenario

A trader believes the US dollar will weaken and opens positions across multiple USD-related pairs.
Although different instruments are used, they are correlated and therefore treated as one trade idea.

 

Account & Risk Limits

  • Account balance: $10,000
  • Margin limit per trade idea: 40% → $4,000
  • Reminder level: 30% → $3,000

 

Instrument Specifications

For simplicity, all pairs have:

  • Leverage: 1:50
  • Contract size: 100,000

Pair

Market Price

EUR/USD

1.1000

GBP/USD

1.2500

 

Step 1 – Margin per Trade

EUR/USD – 0.7 lot

GBP/USD – 0.5 lot

 

Step 2 – Combined Margin (One Trade Idea)

Instrument

Lots

Margin Used

EUR/USD

0.7

$1,540

GBP/USD

0.5

$1,250

Total

1.2

$2,790

Both trades express the same USD-weakness idea
They are aggregated into one trade idea

 

Step 3 – Rule Evaluation

  • Reminder level (30%): $3,000
  • Current margin usage: $2,790 (27.9%)

Within limits — no action taken

 

Step 4 – Warning Scenario

The trader adds 0.3 lot EUR/USD:

New total margin:
$2,790 + $660 = $3,450 (34.5%)

First reminder issued (exceeded 30%)

 

Step 5 – Violation Scenario

The trader adds 0.3 lot GBP/USD:

New total margin:
$3,450 + $750 = $4,200 (42%)

First violation
Automatic warning + position closure

If the trader repeats this behavior again:
Second violation → account breach

 

Why This Rule Exists

Using a large portion of your account on one idea is not risk management — it’s gambling.

High margin concentration leads to:

  • Fast and painful losses
  • Emotional decision-making
  • Strategy breakdown

Professional trading is built on discipline, consistency and survival.